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Private Beach! Cottage on the High Banks of the James River

After a fun drive down a curvy forest flanked road, you emerge into the sunlight with expansive fields on either side of you. You turn left down a dirt path that takes you by an old farmhouse. You dogleg around another field and enter the woods on a gravel road. When you get to the gate you step out. Through the trees, you can vaguely see the vastness of the James River and you hear the sound of a light breeze as it tumbles amid the leaves. Back in your vehicle you steer right, around the driveway loop and notice that you are at the peak of a hill that drops deeply into a great wooded ravine on either side.
Straight in front of you is the cottage which sits at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by views of the River. You shut off the vehicle and step outside. There is not another home or person in sight. NOW....You are officially on vacation. You stroll down the brown pebble path and past the shed that was built by boy scouts in the early 1900's. The breeze from the river feels stronger now and you can see the detail of the water and the white sandy beach below.
Just as you step onto the entry deck you notice two adult bald eagles soaring above the beach looking for prey. You didn't have to look up to see them they were at eye level with you. You are 70' above the river and the surrounding forest floor. The experience is like being in a treehouse; Albeit, a treehouse with a 4 acre yard, and parking for 20. The breeze is loud in the trees now and gives you the feeling of being blanketed by nature.
You jiggle the knob and are inside. Looking around there's nothing fancy, yet everything is special and somehow comforting. Hand made arts and crafts, Americana, books and furnishings you could only find in a cottage that's been a family heirloom for generations. You want to settle in but looking out the window you see an inviting path that winds down the hill and dissipates into the woods. You think, “I bet that leads to the river” and with that you are out the door on your first of many adventures.
Keywords: Cottage

Private Beach! Cottage on the High Banks of the James River

After a fun drive down a curvy forest flanked road, you emerge into the sunlight with expansive fields on either side of you. You turn left down a dirt path that takes you by an old farmhouse. You dogleg around another field and enter the woods on a gravel road. When you get to the gate you step out. Through the trees, you can vaguely see the vastness of the James River and you hear the sound of a light breeze as it tumbles amid the leaves. Back in your vehicle you steer right, around the driveway loop and notice that you are at the peak of a hill that drops deeply into a great wooded ravine on either side.
Straight in front of you is the cottage which sits at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by views of the River. You shut off the vehicle and step outside. There is not another home or person in sight. NOW....You are officially on vacation. You stroll down the brown pebble path and past the shed that was built by boy scouts in the early 1900's. The breeze from the river feels stronger now and you can see the detail of the water and the white sandy beach below.
Just as you step onto the entry deck you notice two adult bald eagles soaring above the beach looking for prey. You didn't have to look up to see them they were at eye level with you. You are 70' above the river and the surrounding forest floor. The experience is like being in a treehouse; Albeit, a treehouse with a 4 acre yard, and parking for 20. The breeze is loud in the trees now and gives you the feeling of being blanketed by nature.
You jiggle the knob and are inside. Looking around there's nothing fancy, yet everything is special and somehow comforting. Hand made arts and crafts, Americana, books and furnishings you could only find in a cottage that's been a family heirloom for generations. You want to settle in but looking out the window you see an inviting path that winds down the hill and dissipates into the woods. You think, “I bet that leads to the river” and with that you are out the door on your first of many adventures.
Keywords: Cottage

Private Beach! Cottage on the High Banks of the James River

Private Beach! Cottage on the High Banks of the James River

After a fun drive down a curvy forest flanked road, you emerge into the sunlight with expansive fields on either side of you. You turn left down a dirt path that takes you by an old farmhouse. You dogleg around another field and enter the woods on a gravel road. When you get to the gate you step out. Through the trees, you can vaguely see the vastness of the James River and you hear the sound of a light breeze as it tumbles amid the leaves. Back in your vehicle you steer right, around the driveway loop and notice that you are at the peak of a hill that drops deeply into a great wooded ravine on either side.
Straight in front of you is the cottage which sits at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by views of the River. You shut off the vehicle and step outside. There is not another home or person in sight. NOW....You are officially on vacation. You stroll down the brown pebble path and past the shed that was built by boy scouts in the early 1900's. The breeze from the river feels stronger now and you can see the detail of the water and the white sandy beach below.
Just as you step onto the entry deck you notice two adult bald eagles soaring above the beach looking for prey. You didn't have to look up to see them they were at eye level with you. You are 70' above the river and the surrounding forest floor. The experience is like being in a treehouse; Albeit, a treehouse with a 4 acre yard, and parking for 20. The breeze is loud in the trees now and gives you the feeling of being blanketed by nature.
You jiggle the knob and are inside. Looking around there's nothing fancy, yet everything is special and somehow comforting. Hand made arts and crafts, Americana, books and furnishings you could only find in a cottage that's been a family heirloom for generations. You want to settle in but looking out the window you see an inviting path that winds down the hill and dissipates into the woods. You think, “I bet that leads to the river” and with that you are out the door on your first of many adventures.
Keywords: Cottage

Overview

Details

Property

cottage

Sleeps

6

Bedrooms

2

Bathrooms

1

Minimum Stay

1 - 3 nights

About the property

Cottage, 2 Bedrooms + Convertible bed(s), 1 Bath, (Sleeps 4-6)

After a fun drive down a curvy forest flanked road, you emerge into the sunlight with expansive fields on either side of you. You turn left down a dirt path that takes you by an old farmhouse. You dogleg around another field and enter the woods on a gravel road. When you get to the gate you step out. Through the trees, you can vaguely see the vastness of the James River and you hear the sound of a light breeze as it tumbles amid the leaves. Back in your vehicle you steer right, around the driveway loop and notice that you are at the peak of a hill that drops deeply into a great wooded ravine on either side.

Straight in front of you is the cottage which sits at the tip of the peninsula surrounded by views of the River. You shut off the vehicle and step outside. There is not another home or person in sight. NOW....You are officially on vacation. You stroll down the brown pebble path and past the shed that was built by boy scouts in the early 1900's. The breeze from the river feels stronger now and you can see the detail of the water and the white sandy beach below.

Just as you step onto the entry deck you notice two adult bald eagles soaring above the beach looking for prey. You didn't have to look up to see them they were at eye level with you. You are 70' above the river and the surrounding forest floor. The experience is like being in a treehouse; Albeit, a treehouse with a 4 acre yard, and parking for 20. The breeze is loud in the trees now and gives you the feeling of being blanketed by nature.

You jiggle the knob and are inside. Looking around there's nothing fancy, yet everything is special and somehow comforting. Hand made arts and crafts, Americana, books and furnishings you could only find in a cottage that's been a family heirloom for generations. You want to settle in but looking out the window you see an inviting path that winds down the hill and dissipates into the woods. You think, “I bet that leads to the river” and with that you are out the door on your first of many adventures.

About Jeffrey Sadler

The Riverhouse is just 10 minutes from the ferry. The ferry is free and you simply drive aboard. The ferries run continuously, with one every 20 minutes or so. The ferry ride is is a pleasant 15 minute site-see on the James River. There is an observation deck for looking at Historic Jamestown. Merchants Square and Busch Gardens/Water Country is only 10 minutes from there.

Jeffrey Sadler purchased this cottage in 1905

Why Jeffrey Sadler chose Spring Grove

This property has been in the family since the early 1900's. The area's rich history and the tranquility and privacy of this property make it a family heirloom.

What makes this cottage unique

The connection to America's historic native americans, colonists and explorers is profound. Proof of this area's active past is evident in the fossils and other historic items that over the years have been found along the beachfront. A robust kayak paddle up or down the river provides views of several historic waterfront plantation homes. I enjoy putting myself in the shoes of an early american as I navigate the property. This helps me to appreciate the preservation of this area and it offers me a different perspective when viewing the modern world. A walk on the beach and the challenge of finding the smallest and largest of shark teeth is very therapeutic and is a must do on every visit. The 'missing' electronic devices like TV and internet provide us with the 'missing' time we never seem to have.

Guestbook comments from the owner

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend at the cottage!! Thanks so much for sharing your home. Our dog had a blast running on the beach and playing fetch in the water. We only found two sharks teeth, but we collected lots of neat shells. We are looking forward to coming back over the summer to swim!

Queen size Beds (1) Queen bed in one of the bedrooms, Twin or Single Beds (3) 2 twins in one of the bedrooms. A daybed in the living room., Sleep Sofa or Futons (1) Queen sleeper sofa in the living room

Entertainment:

Books

CD Player

Games

Stereo

Toys

Outside:

Balcony

Deck / Patio

Kayak / Canoe ...

Lawn / Garden ...

Outdoor Grill ...

6 garden chairs

6 beach chairs

Attractions:

cinemas

health/beauty spa

live theater

museums

restaurants

theme parks

Leisure Activities:

antiquing

beachcombing

bird watching

boating

eco tourism

horseshoes

outlet shopping

photography

shelling

shopping

sight seeing

walking

wildlife viewing

Sports & Adventure Activities:

cycling

fishing

golf

hiking

hunting

jet skiing

kayaking

mountain biking

sailing

swimming

tennis

water skiing

wind-surfing

Notes:

4 ACRES OF WOODED PRIVACY!!! Loads of parking and a loop for easy trailering of boats and campers. Great views from approx. 70' above the James River. Path brings you to your own private white sandy beach. TONS OF PREHISTORIC SHARKS TEETH mixed in with the shells. Very quiet and romantic. Great for couples or for families. Beach area and river bottom is clean, safe and great for swimming. TWO KAYAKS AND A CANOE with paddles and 'high-end' life-vests, sized from toddler to He-Man. Lots of books and games. Watch out, you can loose/find yourself here! Cottage has been a family gathering place for 30 years and is as comfortable as your favorite pair of jeans.

We Love the Riverhouse!

This was our 5th trip to the Riverhouse, and will be returning this fall. We love everything about it, from the tranquility of the private beach, to the cozy house and river view, and the proximity to the attractions of Williamsburg and Jamestown. Thanks for sharing your piece of paradise with us!

A Little Slice of Heaven

My husband and I were looking for a place that was private, near the water, and would allow dogs. We could not be happier for with our choice of the cottage on the water, it appears that the owner has taken every opportunity available to make this a special and memorable trip for all.

From the moment we arrived I fell in love with the cottage. It feels so welcoming with a light and airy felling that has a vibe of good times and happiness. The cottage was extremely clean (the cleanest rental that we have stayed at). The kitchen appeared to have been recently refurbished with new cabinetry, oven and refrigerator and is well stocked even going as far as having a Ninja blender. The living area has a wealth of book, games, and a stereo that can be used inside or outside.

Outside you will find a fire pit that overlooks the water and a winding path the leads down to your own private beach (loaded with seashells), and kayaks there for your use. Although, the path may be steep for some, there is a resting spot with a bench that overlooks the water. As you walk down the path take this opportunity to just enjoy the great outdoors and look for wildlife, you might be surprised what you see.

My only wish is that we had booked a longer period of time; we will definitely be booking the cabin again. Many thanks to the owner, who was easy to contact and made sure that we had everything we needed. What an awesome trip!

Secluded

We enjoyed the grounds and hope to visit again when the weather is warmer to take advantage of all there. There were a lot of great classic toys for the kids to play with. Definitely do grocery shopping at home before you come if you come from the south side, as there was nothing even remotely close from that direction. Would have had 5 stars, but the queen bed was not very comfortable - twin bed were new and very comfy, and there was an odor in the queen bedroom.

Submitted: Jan 2, 2018

Stayed: December 2017

Source: VRBO, from HomeAway

Owner's Response: Thanks for the feedback Katie :-). I'm so glad you had such a great time! Beds are a hard one to get just right. Some folks like hard others soft. We tried our best to go in the middle and I'm sorry the queen didn't suit you. That said our goal is to provide a 5 star experience for everyone so I will review our choice for the queen bed and possibly make a different selection (to match the twin beds). We look forward to your visit this summer :-)

The relaxing tranquility of The James River House

My family and I had a wonderful experience at The James River House. We were looking for a special weekend get-away. Somewhere we could relax, enjoy nature, create memories, and possibly enjoy the water, like canoeing and fishing. Well I give a big thumbs up to The James River House. It started by the serene drive down the country road that led to a mystical house overlooking the river. The house was ingeniously located where one experiences the peaceful tranquility of the woods, yet takes in the spectacular view of the river, and feels as though the love and care of the home has been there for over a 100 years. We enjoyed coffee on the deck with friendly visits from deer, ground hogs, squirrels, and even a bald eagle. The evening was stunning as the sun set and landscape lights created a beautiful evening experience, which led to sitting around the convenient fire pit enjoying a camp fire and nighttime peacefulness of the woods. The days were filled walking miles of beach, canoeing miles of river, and catching some of the biggest cat fish we had ever caught. The home itself shares it's memories, artifacts, pictures, and character as you enjoy your stay. I thank The James River House for the experience we shared and the memories it created for us; we could have stayed forever. What a wonderful visit.. Bobby & Karen

Adorable Cottage in the Woods, Beach was beautiful!

When we arrived, the first thing I heard was, "Mom...there isn't a single TV! or WIFI!" I thought they were all going to have panic attacks, lol! It ended up being a fresh way to have family time. We played more games than we have in years, laughed so hard we cried...wonderful memories were made.

The best feature by far to our family was the amazing view of the river and the lit trail to the private beach area. We absolutely loved every minute of it! Next time we are going to try one of the canoes out!

The drive was far, but I had read the other reviews and knew that. The ferry ride was exciting for the kids and it did take a while to get into Williamsburg and Jamestown, so just plan accordingly.

I was also very thankful for the sightseeing tips that Jeffrey gave us when we went over to Virginia Beach in search of a lighthouse... it made for a seamless day.

Peace and quiet in nature

We loved walking the beach looking for fossils, sharks teeth, and treasure. You are really in the middle of nowhere so pack/plan accordingly. Surry has little to nothing going on. To drive to and take the ferry to jamestown/williamsburg takes about an hour. If you leave the house on the hour you will arrive just in time for the next ferry. I enjoyed walking up the lane and thinking about the vast history of the land. Next door they are restoring a plantation that was first inhabited in the early 1600's. The house has been updated and is decorated very nicely. We loved the outdoor lighting, sterio, and well-equiped kitchen. I was amazed to see eagles everyday and the cypress trees. Jeffrey has seen to all the details to make this place special and hospitable. If you are looking to get away from it all and not have to worry about getting in your car for the trip this is the place to go.

Map

Guests can take advantage of the cottage's location on the James River and they can go kayaking and canoeing straight from the private beach. This location offers acres of privacy. Two kayaks and a canoe with paddles and 'high-end' life-vests, sized from toddler to He-Man are included. There is a private sitting area away from the house with amazing views of the river. There is also a fire pit and seating on a 70' hilltop overlooking the river. The Chippokes Plantation Park is home to a historic farm museum along with a plethora of outdoor attractions including equestrian trails, a swimming pool, and picnic areas. It also hosts special events throughout the year, providing fun for all the family.

In the town of Surry guests can find a winery, several beautiful plantations including Smith's Fort Plantation, the Brandon Plantation and Gardens, and the Lightwood-Historic 18th Century Plantation House.

In the neighboring towns of Smithfield and Williamsburg guests can enjoy more of our nations history by visiting the colonial areas and the original fort at Jamestown. Busch Gardens and Water County are also fun for the whole family.

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